Baptist Health is partnering with USA Drug and KATV Channel 7 throughout March to provide easy-to-use self-tests to help detect colorectal cancer in its early stages.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which is a great time to take advantage of this free screening kit that could save your life.

Simply drop by any participating USA Drug store to pick up your free screening kit through March 31. You may call Baptist Health HealthLine at B-A-P-T-I-S-T (227-8478)  or 1-888-B-A-P-T-I-S-T or click here to locate the nearest participating USA Drug store.

The color-coded result of the home test is then mailed on a postage-paid card to Baptist Health HealthLine, which will then follow up with those who took the test in case they need help finding a physician, making an appointment, or have any other questions.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths after lunch cancer but is 95% curable if detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screenings for all adults over 50.

Darla Henry, M.S., CPT, Baptist Health Weight Loss Program Health Educator

Have you ever looked at your hands? I mean, really looked at them? If eyes are the windows to the soul, what are hands? Our hands do so much. They enable us to feel, to carry things, to write this blog. Our hands also do something else very important – they provide comfort.

Last week, my dear, sweet uncle died. I did not lose him – I know where he is. He did not “pass away”. What does that even mean? He died.

At Uncle James’ funeral, I sat between my Mom and my husband, the two people I love most in the world. I held my husband’s hand with my left hand and my Mother’s hand in my right hand. I looked down at my hands. How can a body part so small have such impact? My hands provided comfort and received comfort at the same time. I never really looked at them before.

My uncle had colon cancer. He had surgery and radiation. We thought the cancer was gone, but apparently it had metastasized to his major organs – the brain, liver, kidneys. One by one, these rebellious cells took over. (more…)